Ukraine will assist in stabilizing the situation in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Ukrainian grain will be supplied to the Syrian people, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced.

The head of state held a meeting regarding Syria. He listened to reports from Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andriy Sybiha, and Minister of Agrarian Policy, Vitalii Koval, about their visit to Syria. They discussed the results of negotiations in Damascus and security and economic prospects.

“Ukraine will make every effort to stabilize Syria. We will establish the ‘Grain from Ukraine’ program to cooperate with the Syrian administration, and all partners are ready to support this,” the president said.

Zelenskyy added that Ukraine will communicate with European countries and the United States to ensure maximum support for Syria.

“More stability in the Middle East means more peace and trade for all partners,” he emphasized.

Later in his address, the president noted that Syria could become a partner of Ukraine this year.

“We are preparing to restore diplomatic relations with Syria and interaction within international organizations. I want to thank our intelligence services for providing the security foundation for these contacts. As a result of the visit, we will also increase trade with Lebanon. Our agricultural exports to Lebanon amount to $400 million, and we are preparing to at least double this figure,” Zelenskyy said.

Fall of Assad’s Regime

Recall that at the beginning of December 2024, Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria was overthrown. Power shifted to rebel forces led by the Islamist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

Assad and his family fled to Russia. Recently, several of Assad’s relatives were arrested at Beirut airport.

Following Assad’s fall, Ukraine announced it was considering restoring diplomatic relations with Syria. Ukraine sent 500 tons of wheat flour to Syria.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha visited Syria at the end of December. Ukraine became one of the first countries to make a high-level visit to Syria. More details on this can be found in RBC-Ukraine’s report.